Heralds Digest

"As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”" (Romans 9:33 NKJV) Whenever one is identified, a sane person should do all within his ability to avoid the stumbling stone. Real stumbling stone is set to do nothing other than slipping and tripping anyone that is ignorant of its intention or incapable of undermining its strategy. However, when God laid a stumbling stone and a rock of offense in Zion, He did that to present a Savior and not a Destroyer. By the reason of the fall of man from grace, man is set on a sloppy descent into the pit of hell. However in Zionist's view, messiah's job responsibilities must embrace violence against forces of opposition in order not to constitute a stumbling stone. Although the way of the cross sets an unfriendly apathy to worldliness and unrighteous practices, it saves the heart from sin and leads home. The only crossover from shame is an abso...

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35 NKJV) The struggle over the doctrine of eternal security would be futile with absolute commitment to the ministry of the Spirit and submission to the evidence of His love. The ministry of the Spirit is committed to the safe keeping of all those who are redeemed by grace from corruption; and the evidence of God's love is demonstrated in the sparing of His own Son. The Spirit that keeps believers safe in the arms of the Savior understands the futility of 'what' we face, so He addresses 'who' is behind the veil. Behind our tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword is the One who is conquered at Calvary. The Apostle's persuasion about his security in the love of Christ represents his personal commitment to the Spirit during his experiences with the realities ...

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:26 NKJV) Although no one would prays for the suffering of the body, sufficient provision of the needs of the body weakens his sensitivity to spirituality. It is the denial of body pleasure that often awaken the heart to the things of the Spirit. Otherwise, the heart is burdened with ephemeral things like consumables, decorations, gratification, etc. Conformation of the body to the image of God, in holiness and righteousness, cannot be possible without suffering. Therefore, suffering merely set the platform for fellowship between heaven and earth. There is no mortal that can utter the glory of Spirit groanings.